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Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Speculates on when he would be home, Comments on recent good news and how it effects them. Writes he is keeping fit having recovered from flu and mentions a small epidemic probably due to hot weather and flies. Comments on recent film and that…
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Reports arrival of latest letters and catches up with news from home. Writes that his Christmas had not been very merry but they had had a good meal [two sections are blacked out by censor]. Mentions choir recital and church service.
Letter to L V Rosser from Doug Smith
Writes about his new station, the local area and places to go. Writes that they had not done much yet due to weather but he had gone solo. Writes a little about his flying, ground school and staff. Continues with description of sports and athletics.…
Letter from David Donaldson to manager Whitbreads & Co, Norwich
Thanks him for having allowed them six barrels of beer for a farewell party for aircrew leaving the squadron.
Interview with Reg Woolgar
Reg Woolgar was born in Hove. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force in December 1939 and trained as a wireless operator/air gunner. He flew Hampdens with 49 Squadron. His aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire on a mine laying operation to Oslo…
Interview with Les Rutherford. Three
Les Rutherford joined the army and was in the 51st Highland Division which formed the rear-guard defence, allowing for the evacuation of Dunkirk. He escaped out to sea on a barn door and was picked up and taken to England by a French trawler. He…
Interview with Margaret Hourigan
Margaret Hourigan grew up in and around Nottingham. Despite holding Labour principles she volunteered for the WAAF’s as soon as War was declared and was called up in January 1940. She Hourigan served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force as a…
Interview with Rosemary Lapham
Rosemary Lapham is the daughter of Roy Chadwick CBE, the designer of the Manchester and Lancaster aircraft. She tells her father’s story. Her father was born in 1893 and when he left school at the age of fourteen he became a draughtsman at…
Interview with Les Rutherford. Four
Les Rutherford talks about the prisoner of war diary he compiled while an inmate of Belaria compound at Stalag Luft 3. Two months after arriving, he exchanged three chocolate bars for the notebook which became this personal memoir. He recollects…
Interview with Martin Arthur Catty
Martin Catty grew up in London and was evacuated, with his school, to Westward Ho! at the beginning of the war. He completed a short training course at Cambridge University in 1942 and joined the Royal Air Force. After training, he flew 40…
Interview with Ronald Indge
Ronald Indge was a wireless operator on 578 Squadron and became a prisoner of war after his Halifax aircraft was shot down. Ronald Indge was a wireless operator on 578 Squadron and became a prisoner of war after his Halifax aircraft was shot down.…
Interview with Hilary Robinson
Hilary Robinson grew up in Yorkshire and volunteered for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. She trained as a driver and served at RAF Elsham Wolds and at 1 Group Headquarters at Bawtry Hall. She married and lived on a farm after the war.
Interview with Don Sutherland. Two
Don was brought up in Newcastle, where he worked for a number of years. He attended a meeting a year before the war began, about alternatives to war and that war didn’t have to be accepted as inevitable. Don joined a community which organised…
Interview with Laura Hickey
Laura Hickey was living in Tottenham at the outbreak of war and was evacuated to Suffolk. Her brother, Charles Henry Clarke joined the RAF and was shot down, becoming a prisoner of war and enduring the Long March. She tells of her times as an…
Interview with Rex John Arnett
Rex was born in Toronto Canada in 1924 and grew up there, at aged 18 in 1942 he joined the RCAF as aircrew. He initially started training as the second member of a Mosquito crew but was later changed to Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and having…
Letter from Dave Davies to Betty Hughes
Dave hopes his fiancée, Betty, had a happy birthday and asks if she has received his gift. He tells about the cold weather and snow, but says that the flights continue. Dave lists the films that he has recently watched; and expresses the desire to…
Letter from Dave Davies to Betty Hughes
Dave advises his fiancée, Betty, that he has received a letter and a parcel. He informs her that he has settled in the new place, but has to work even harder than at Elementary Flying Training School. Dave explains that the course is difficult, but…
Letter from Dave Davies to Betty Hughes
Dave has received letters from Betty and is waiting for a parcel. He describes working hard for various exams. Dave has not yet decided where to spend his Christmas holidays. Dave updates Betty on the latest films he has seen; and emphasizes his love…
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter form from David Boldy to his father about settling in with his friend as air gunners on the same crew. He misses his girl friend Babe, who he left in East London five months before. Thanks for the birthday wishes and the subsequent night out…
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father with general conversation about attending St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling. Writes about school studies, trips out and sends late birthday wishes to his father.
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father with general conversation about attending St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling. Someone had broken into his locker and stolen some money. Had a visit from his mother and she now keeps his money.
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father with general conversation about attending St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling. Complains about not being able to horse ride, due to being caught riding too fast in the High Street. Discusses exams results and has…
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father with general conversation about attending St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling. He writes that he is hoping to buy a puppy and Mrs. Pelly held a party which was a great success. Has been invited to his friend…
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father with general conversation about attending St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling. The weather is getting colder, but goes out horse riding and a visit to the pictures. New rector at the school, Mr Goddard, previously…
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father with general conversation about attending St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling, Describes going to the pictures and due to not being allowed to go riding has been reading, to pass the time. Went shooting, shot…